The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-08-13

tb'ctftS
an imaginary audience.
and the famous cypress walk led now, as it
had led fifty years before to the conse-
Grated ground where slept the few whom
death had taken.
Time, and change, and different masters
had brought the old house low; even as
time and change had wrought their work
upon its mistress.
Shut up in her room Susan Britt lived on
year after year alone, seeing nobody car
ing for nobody-her hair growing daily
grayer and her step more feeble as the years
went by.
Never going into the sunlight, and avoid
ing day as she might have avoided Satan
had he walked the world unclaimed and
known. Mrs. Britt saw no one but the MEM
bers of her own household. 1t was the
night before Christmas and the mistress sat
shiverlug IN her chair near the hearth, on
which glowed a blazing fire.
The curtains at the long windows of her
room were closely drawn. But they always
We're, for the matter of that. If Susan
Britt had been a fugitive from Justice she
could have made no Drawer attempt at self
concealment than was daily made in the
great octagon room at the Eyergreeus.
Dora" said see presently, IN a low tone,
Dora what day is this?'
A pretty, dark-eyed girl of nineteen came
out from behind the bed curtains. The
day. 1t is the ni4ht before Christmas.
Mrs. Britt shuddered and clasped her
hands nervousIy together.
Christmas eve she muttered III a hol-
low voice; AN anniversary. Come here
Dora
Yes. madam.
Dora selted herself by the side of her
mistress, and took up one of the restless
hands that We're now swinging to and fro.
oh child chIld-my burden daily
grows heavier for me to bear said Mrs.
Britt. leaning her gray head upon the
girls shoulder There are moments when
/ grow Id with a desire 10 lay 1t off for
ever.
Dora smOothed the scattered locks that
str tyed adown the pale and haggard face.
Long accustomed TO those outbursts of
yehemence, she soothed her mistress as
She might have sOothed a child.
Christmas eve, repeated Mrs. Britt, IN
a hollow voice: and an anniversary.
Why dwell upon what is past and can
not be recaled?" asked Dora chidiugy
1T is better to forget the past and live on
in hopes of a brighter future"
Forget the past. Oh, God! l wish l
could
Mrs Britt put her thin hands to her
face.
Let me give You potion. Those drops
the last new doctor left YOU are said to be
marvellous. They viii helpyou to feel bet
ter y"
Drops, calculated Mrs. Britt -" drops
Do YOU think to ease the mind by giving
the body physic?"
81 ever think, !" returned the practical
Dora, pouring out dark fluid from vial
at hand.
No, muttered the mistress. Il can
believe you; otherwise you could not have
been so deceived all these years.
There was silence in the room for time.
The ire roared and cracked upon the
hearth. and the flames lighted up the
gloomy room with a cheerful glow.
Mrs. Britt turned again to her young
COMPANION.
There was a ring Of command in her
voice and flash in her eyes Dora had not
heard or seen for years.
Dora the time is at hand when you must
know no you are-when you must take
your right place in the world. You tell me
that young Willets has made you an offer
of marriage.
Yes, said Dora, blush hing.
And you have accepted him?"
with your permlssion-always with your
permission"
VERY we'll | consent to the marriage.
But yoU go no portIonless bride into the
WIilet, family. Listen, Dora, while | tell
you the story of your parents Oh weak
guilty creature that | am, | ask your for
gIveness and your pardon ere | begin to
talk
Il have nothing to forgive Do not dis
tress yourself, said Dora. gently If the
story gives you pain then let 1t wait, lean
listen TO it at some future time
1t has waited too lonr, said Mrs. Britt,
wringing her hands again; too long-far
too long for my peace of mind.
The heavy curtains chat covered the
doorway moved slightly as if stirred by
something behind their concealing folds
But neither mistress or maid noticed the
circumstance.
IF l were to go back to my youth, went
on Ms. Britt mournfuIly, / could not
then remember time in my life IN which
your mother had not a part We were
children together, and grew up to woman
hood INN fri nds from the dav of our meet
ing until the hour that saw nsr eyes closed
in death In this room she died, Dora
Here l watched her fade away; here she
hreatbei her last sigl ! my arms, and from
this room her body Wac borne to its burial
And my father asked Dora, with a
sigh
Mrs. Britt put her face close 10 that of
her CompanIeu.
The heavy curtains that concealed the
doorway shook from pole to floor, but she
did not perceive II.
Dora. when | shall tell you The sad story
of YOU father, said Mrs. Britt, hoarsely,
the viii / have betrayed the dreadful Sc
cret THAI has made my life a curse to
me-
Susan said a warning voice.
Mrs. Britt looked uc With a shrek. The
curts!us had parted and a rUddy, evil face
was thrust through the aperture A long
finger shook menacinglv before her.
MIR. bT It, aculated Dora, recoIlng.
Yes. Joshua Britt" And he stepped out
from tie concealIng folds of the curtain.
As Thu : Christmas eve, and an anniver-
sary tia, Mrs. Britt AMI | usually keep to-
eether, YOU may 90 to your room, Dora.
Nhe YOU are wanted | will cal.
Mrs Brit. gllnced appea ingly at the girl,
as # mutely mplor n to Temnin.
But Dora had not lived all those years in
the Br't household without knowing that
is masters VII was law
Brit, waited until the girl was well out
of tie room, then he turned to his wife
with q savage frowu.
~ " hat i this idle chatter, Susan? have
you not sworn TO obey me and keep The
secret of my Ife2 Hag. down upon your
knees and renew your oath. Down, / say. -
Mrs. Britt fell upon her knees.
%. ct me speak The truth. she cried;
only the truth that : all | ask
fro BE CONTINUED
Dennis RYAN, Of ST. Paul, i worth ST.